Nanoconfined surfactant templated electrodeposition to porous hierarchical nanowires and nanotubes.

Porous metal (Pd and Co) and semiconductor (ZnO) nanowires, porous metal (Pt and Ni) nanotubes, and unique multiple Pt nanowires are prepared from a novel nanoconfined surfactant templated electrodeposition approach. More specifically, the overall diameter of nanowires or nanotubes is defined by the pore channels of membranes. Surfactant assembled structure nanoconfined within the pores of membranes is used to generate the porosity and to control the texture of the nanowires or nanotubes. As compared to solid nanowires and nanotubes, the porous nanowires and nanotubes exhibit unique properties. For example, porous cobalt nanowires show higher coercivity.